A rare example of politicians willing to do the unpopular thing to promote long-term benefit for the majority. Powell is right on target on this issue. It is short term pain, no doubt about it. But freeing up human resources to retrain and re-engage in the marketplace in a new function provides NEW goods and services that were not previously being provided due to lack of resources or motivation; and therefore grows the economic pie larger.
"The secretary made clear in his remarks that we are concerned when Americans lose jobs, and we are focused on creating jobs for American workers, and the best way to do that is to open markets around the world, including in India," said Claire Buchan, a spokeswoman for the White House.
Other nations are converted to free-market capitalism as they share the rewards. Partners in capitalism, sharing the rewards, have more at stake and more to lose -- and are therefore less likely to become adversaries -- and we are less likely to have to be looking at them down the end of a rifle. If one is able to stay this course long enough, the payoff -- economic, political, and otherwise -- will be enormous.
But David Wade, a spokesman for Senator John Kerry, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, said Mr. Powell's comments demonstrated how the Bush administration has "failed to fight for American workers."
Anytime the government is fighting for me, it makes me nervous. Just provide a level playing field, enforce the rules, ensure access to training and resources, and stay out of people's way.